OFFICERS from the Central Motorway Police Group were honoured this week for their innovation and dedication to duty.

A total of 40 officers and staff were recognised for their actions over the past six months that have seen lives saved, dangerous criminals captured and thousands of pounds-worth of property recovered.

Last November, the unit identified a gang which was suspected of using the Midlands motorway network to travel across the country and commit crime.

Through a mix of old-fashioned detective work and the latest technology, the team identified the gang’s vehicles and plotted their movements as they travelled through the night.

Piecing together this information, the team were able to direct police officers to strategic locations on the motorway ready to launch a

co-ordinated strike.

Three cars were stopped and six men arrested. When officers searched their vehicles, £100,000 worth of stolen property was recovered.

“I and the rest of the team are delighted,” said Det Sgt Orton.

“The award recognises the

often-hidden world of intelligence and how the officers and staff of the CMPG are mixing good old-fashioned detective work with the latest technology to help make the Midlands motorway network even safer.”

Also honoured at the ceremony were members of the new group’s Public Protection and Confidence Team, whose innovative approach to improving motorway safety has generated national headlines.

In September the team launched a DVD to help prevent international truck drivers from having their loads stolen by organised gangs.

One month later, they ran the UK’s first operation to tackle law-breaking lorry drivers by using an unmarked truck to film into the cabs of HGVs in an attempt to catch drivers using mobile phones or committing other dangerous driving offences.

Head of CMPG Chief Supt David Jones said: “These awards go some way to recognise those officers and staff of the Central Motorway Police Group who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help make the region’s motorways a safer place.”

The Central Motorway Police Group is responsible for policing the Midlands motorway network stretching south from Cheshire on the M6 to the Welsh borders on the M50.

The team has 140 specialist police officers and staff drawn from West Midlands, Staffordshire and West Mercia Police forces.